“I Had Always Been Active in Sports—I Never Thought It Would Become So Severe That I Could Barely Walk”
Sports can help strengthen the body and are an activity that many people enjoy. However, if an underlying physical condition is already present, or if the body is repeatedly exposed to impact and rotational forces over a long period, back pain may gradually accumulate and worsen without the person realizing it.
This was the experience of Mr. Hans Jorg Burgerer, a Swiss national who had played tennis for 20 years before taking up golf over the past seven years.
Activities that had once brought him happiness gradually began to aggravate his back pain. The symptoms eventually progressed to an electric-shock-like sensation radiating down his leg to the sole of his foot, leaving him able to walk for only two to three minutes at a time.
From 20 Years of Tennis to Golf-Related Impact on the Spine
Mr. Hans explained that sports had been part of his life for many years. He played tennis continuously for approximately 20 years, a sport that requires repeated trunk rotation, rapid movement, and frequent changes in direction.
He then took up golf around seven years ago. However, the more he continued playing sports, the more noticeable and severe his back pain became.
This was particularly evident when he mishit the ball and the golf club struck the ground instead. The resulting impact travelled immediately through the club to his arms, torso, and back.
For individuals with an existing spinal or intervertebral disc condition, repeated impact and rotational forces may further aggravate the symptoms and cause the pain to worsen.
More Than Five Years of Back Pain Before Electric-Shock-Like Pain Spread Down the Leg
Mr. Hans had lived with back pain for more than five years. During the early stages, he was still able to continue with his daily activities and play sports, although the pain tended to worsen after exercise.
Approximately three months before seeking treatment, his symptoms began to change. What had previously been back pain alone developed into an electric-shock-like or tingling sensation that travelled down his leg to the sole of his foot.
These symptoms were caused by nerve compression, which meant that the pain was no longer limited to the back but radiated along the affected nerve into the leg.
A man who had once been able to play tennis and golf was now facing increasingly severe physical limitations.
From an Active Sportsman to Being Able to Walk for Only Two to Three Minutes
The radiating leg pain had a major impact on Mr. Hans’s daily life. He could walk for only approximately two to three minutes before having to stop and rest because of the pain.
For someone who had always led an active lifestyle and considered sports an important part of his life, being able to walk for only a few minutes was not simply a physical limitation. It also forced him to stop doing the activities he loved.
Mr. Hans tried several treatment approaches, including multiple courses of physical therapy, consultations at another spine clinic in Thailand, acupuncture, swimming, and exercising independently at home.
Despite trying many different methods, the pain and electric-shock-like sensation radiating down his leg did not improve.
Discovering the Hospital Through a Facebook Advertisement for MRI Screening
The turning point came when Mr. Hans saw a Facebook advertisement from S Spine & Joint Hospital promoting MRI screening at a reasonable price. He therefore decided to make an appointment for an examination.
When he arrived at the hospital, he was warmly welcomed and closely assisted by the staff. Becky provided information and guided him to the relevant departments throughout the examination process.
After undergoing an MRI examination, Mr. Hans consulted Dr. Paul to determine the underlying cause of his symptoms.
The examination revealed that a nerve was being compressed by structures involving the spine and an intervertebral disc. This was the underlying cause of his back pain, the electric-shock-like sensation in his leg, and his limited walking ability.
Confidence Built on the Doctor’s Experience
Before deciding to proceed with treatment, Mr. Hans asked the doctor how many similar procedures he had previously performed.
When he learned that the doctor had performed more than 800 such procedures, he felt reassured that he was being treated by an experienced specialist.
This confidence led him to proceed with treatment immediately, after spending only approximately one to two hours consulting with the doctor.
Mr. Hans wanted the procedure to take place on the same day without further delay, and the hospital was able to arrange the treatment according to his request.
He explained that he was not afraid of the surgery because he trusted the doctor’s expertise and the hospital’s treatment technology.
PSLD Treatment to Relieve Nerve Compression
Mr. Hans underwent treatment using the PSLD technique, a minimally invasive endoscopic spinal procedure designed to relieve pressure on the affected nerve.
The aim of the procedure was to remove the tissue or structure compressing the nerve, create more space around the nerve, and reduce the radiating leg pain.
After surgery, he no longer experienced the same type of pain. He was able to eat and sleep well, while the staff closely monitored and cared for him in his room, helping him feel safe throughout the recovery period.
Returning Home Pain-Free Within 24 Hours
At approximately 10:00 a.m. the following morning, the doctor examined Mr. Hans and found that the radiating pain he had experienced before treatment was no longer present.
After lunch, he was discharged from the hospital and returned home. The entire process, from examination to discharge, took approximately 24 hours.
One of the clearest improvements was his ability to walk again without difficulty and move more freely in daily life. Before treatment, he had been able to walk for only a few minutes before needing to stop and rest.
After more than five years of back pain and three months of severe electric-shock-like pain radiating down his leg, those symptoms disappeared following treatment that directly addressed the underlying cause.
Four Weeks Later, He Returned to Daily Life Without Pain
Approximately four weeks after treatment, Mr. Hans said that he was very happy because the pain had not returned and he was able to resume his normal daily activities.
For someone whose life had always included sports, this treatment meant more than simply being able to walk better. It gave him the opportunity to return to an active lifestyle without having to live with constant pain.
Mr. Hans was impressed by the hospital’s modern facilities and cleanliness, as well as the experience of the medical team and the attentive care provided by every member of staff.
What impressed him most was the efficiency of the treatment process. The MRI examination, diagnosis, surgery, and discharge were all completed within just 24 hours.
